The Lifeguard

Question 1

What are the traits of an excellent Lifeguard?

Answer 1

Maintaining a positive attitude 
Being professional 
Maintaining observation 
Providing good supervision 
Early intervention 
Accident prevention 
Rescue

Question 2

What are the attitudes of a Lifeguard?

Answer 2

Strong communicator 
Excellent team player 
Able to lead 
Anticipate problems 
Extremely observant 
Quick thinker 
Able to stay calm 
Have a positive attitude

Question 3

What does Accountability mean?

Answer 3

When something goes wrong, the law asks that those actions are scrutinised to see whether you personally were effective or ineffective during an incident and weather you worked in line with your training and pool procedures.

If held accountable it means you are responsible.

Question 4

What does the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 Ireland briefly outline?

Answer 4

Legal responsibilities of an employee and employer.

Question 5

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Safety Health and Welfare Act 2005 Ireland, what is the outline for the employee?

Answer 5

Take responsible care of the health and safety of themselves and others.

Question 6

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Safety Health and Welfare Act 2005 Ireland, what is the outline for the employer?

Answer 6

Protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work, and also members of the public using their premises

Question 7

What are some examples of the Acts of Parliament relevant to life guarding?

Answer 7

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Equality Act 2010
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Environmental Protection Act 1990

Question 8

What is the main purpose of regulations?

Answer 8

To ensure all employees and members of the public are not injured or harm caused to their health by the activities of business, such as a swimming pool

Question 9

What is the HSE Guidance?

Answer 9

The Health and Safety Executive publish extensive guidance to assist businesses to operate in a safe manner.

This is not a law but can be used by courts to consider if swimming pool operators have complied with the requirements of the primary legislation.

Question 10

What is the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act 2007?

Answer 10

This is a landmark in the law. Companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of serious management failures resulting in gross breach of duty of care resulting in death.

Question 11

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 11

Aims to protect people with disabilities and prevent disability discrimination.

Question 12

What does COSHH stand for?

Answer 12

Control 
Of 
Substances
Hazardous to
Health

(COSHH Regulation 2002)

Question 13

What does REACH stand for?

Answer 13

Registration 
Evaluation 
Authorisation 
and restriction of
CHemicals 

(REACH regulation 2008)

Question 14

What does COSHH mean?

Answer 14

This is a regulation that requires employers to control/ manage potential risks from substances that are hazardous to health.

Question 15

Name the lifeguards duties?

Answer 15

Customer enquires
Setting up and taking down equipment throughout the facility
Cleaning
Teaching and coaching

Question 16

What does REACH mean?

Answer 16

This requires the people who place chemicals on the market responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use. Then in turn to also ensure that they provide high level of protection of human health and environmental from the use of chemicals

Question 17

What does PPE stand for?

Answer 17

Personal Protection Equipment Regulation (1992)

Question 18

What does the PPE Regulation (1992) mean?

Answer 18

This is that personal protective equipment is to be supplied and used at work wherever there are risks to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled in other ways

It also requires:
Properly assessed before use to ensure it is suitable
Maintained and stored properly
Is provided with instructions on how to use it Safely and is used correctly by employees

Question 19

What are Prohibition Signs?

Answer 19

RED

a sign prohibiting behaviour likely to increase or cause danger

E.g. no running

Question 20

What are Warning signs?

Answer 20

YELLOW

a sign giving warning of a hazardous or danger

E.g danger: electricity

Question 21

What is a Mandatory Sign?

Answer 21

BLUE

A sign prescribing specific behaviour

E.g eye protection must be worn

Question 22

What are the Emergency Escape of First-Aid Sign?

Answer 22

GREEN

A sign giving information on emergency exits, first aid, AES location or rescue facilities

E.g emergency exit

Question 23

What does an NOP stand for?

Answer 23

Normal Operating Procedures

Question 24

What does an NOP include?

Answer 24

Outlining safe day to day running of the building

for example to router

Question 25

What does the EAP stand for?

Answer 25

Emergency Action Plan

Question 26

What does the EAP entail?

Answer 26

A detailed document outlining what to do in a foreseeable emergency For example, in the case of a terrorist attack what would happen

Question 27

What does a lifeguards uniform include?

Answer 27

Uniform, whistle, basic first aid equipment, and sometimes a suitable rescues equipment

Question 28

How would you prevent a misunderstanding developing?

Answer 28

``` Be approachable and smile Establish eye contact Be courteous, fair but firm Give reasons for any guidance Do not display anger or use inappropriate language Never try to intimidate pool users Remain calm ```

Question 29

What MAY be a customer perception of a lifeguard?

Answer 29

``` Baby sitters Prevent swimming to be fun Whistle blower Lazy Daydreamers Unprofessional ```

Question 30

What SHOULD BE the customers perception of a Lifeguard?

Answer 30

``` Save lives Anticipate problems Give peace of mind Professional Communicate effectively Offer great customer service Friendly ```

Question 31

Examples of being unprofessional

Answer 31

``` Chewing gum Bad language Coming in hungover Untidy uniform Get distracted Talking on pool side ```

Question 32

What does PSOP stand for?

Answer 32

Pool Safety Operating Procedure

Question 33

What does KPIs stand for?

Answer 33

Key Performance Indicators

Question 34

What should your induction cover?

Answer 34

``` Basic Health and Safety information Employment information Staffing arrangements NOP EAP Facility operations ```

Question 35

What is your PSOP

Answer 35

When you start working you will receive procedures set out at your work place of work, your employer will provide you with full and thorough induction in this PSOP

Question 36

What is in your PSOP?

Answer 36

The NOP and EAP

Question 37

Give examples your EAP may include?

Answer 37

``` Overcrowding Disorderly behaviour lack of water clarity Fire Bomb threat Lighting failure Structural failure Emission of toxic gasses Serious injury of bather Casualty in water ```

Question 38

Give examples of what could be in your NOP?

Answer 38

``` Details of the pool Potential risks Dealing with the public Lifeguards Duties and responsibilities Systems of work Operational systems Detailed work instructions First aid suppliers Details of alarms Conditions of hire ```

Question 39

What does PTSD stand for?

Answer 39

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Question 40

Give some examples of PTSD

Answer 40

``` Nightmares Flashbacks Problems sleeping Can’t concentrate Feel isolated and detached These symptoms could have significant impact on their day to day ```